Page 21 of Come Apart
Chapter Three
It's almost nine when I arrive at Alyssa's place.
She puts her finger to her mouth in ashhgesture. "Laurie is sleeping one off, so..." She creeps to her bedroom, opening the door slowly.
There's a sound from Laurie's room. She's up.
Alyssa bites her lip, shaking her head. She motions for me to follow her into the bedroom. Mouthsnow.
This has got to be good.
Laurie pulls her door open and bounces out of her bedroom. She looks at Alyssa, then at me. Her eyes narrow. "Are you coming to the premiere party?"
A guilty look creeps onto Alyssa's face. She knows she's been caught.
"What party?" I ask.
Laurie puts her hands on her hips in exasperation. "Alyssa Summers! You promised me you informed Luke about this party."
Alyssa groans.
"Laurie...
"You're not getting out of this," Laurie warns.
Alyssa looks at me like she's begging for a lifeline. "I'm sure Luke has other things to do."
Barking up the wrong tree this time, sweetie.
"Nope." There's no way I'm missing a party celebrating the premiere of Alyssa's show. I'd celebrate it every minute if I could.
Alyssa glares at me, but it's a mock glare, anI hate but I really love youglare. "I have other things to do."
Laurie shakes her head. It's Laurie's show too—she's the head writer. It's how she and Alyssa became friends. "What other things?"
"Anything except for watching the premiere."
Alright.
I offer Laurie a smile. "Don't worry—we'll be there."
"You better." She points a finger at Alyssa. "Or I'll throw your Kindle in the ocean."
I laugh. "That's not going to convince her." I squeeze Alyssa's hand. "But we will be there."
Laurie nods, finally satisfied.
"Okay, good. I'll let you guys...you know."
Alyssa rolls her eyes pulling me into Laurie's spare room.
I suppose, by now, it really is Alyssa's room. She's been here a few months even if it lacks any real personal touch.
She sits on the bed, pulling her feet towards her crotch. Her eyes are turned down, her lips pressed together. "Are you mad?"
I shake my head. She doesn't have to worry about disappointing me. But I know it's a hold over from Ryan. "Of course not. But I wish you’d told me."
She sighs. "I was going to ditch it at the last minute. When Laurie was too drunk to notice."
